Episode 287: Return of the Demon Instructor
“Something’s off.”
Sabikang furrowed his brow as he walked between the buildings. The number of cultists residing within the estate was far greater than he had anticipated. Yet, there was no sign of any significant structures like a prison or a central building that would justify such a large presence. It didn’t add up.
“Is this not the place?”
But Sabikang quickly shook his head. If this wasn’t a key location, why would so many cultists be stationed here?
Just then, a group of cultists surged forward, blocking his path. Turning around, he saw more cultists closing in from behind.
“That’s him! Get him!”
“Rip him apart!”
The cultists, seemingly convinced that Sabikang was their leader, charged at him with murderous intent. Shadows dropped from the rooftops on either side, joining the fray.
Thud! Crack! Smash!
As the cultists swarmed him, Sabikang crouched down, not even attempting to fight back. Dozens of hands grabbed at him, trying to pin him down.
Then, suddenly,
Whoosh!
A chilling cold swept over the area, and Sabikang’s body began to freeze rapidly.
Boom!
An immense wave of cold exploded from Sabikang, sending a powerful blast of icy wind in all directions.
“Aaargh!”
“Nooo!”
The cultists were caught in the blast, screaming as they were flung away. Those who managed to scream were the lucky ones. Most of them had their heads shattered or their limbs frozen solid, breaking into pieces as they fell.
The remaining cultists hesitated, fearfully backing away.
“A monster…!”
“What kind of sorcery is this?”
In truth, Sabikang hadn’t used sorcery but a spell known as “Shiver Armor.” It created a barrier of cold around his body, which could unleash a devastating explosion.
With eyes as cold as the air around him, Sabikang glared at the cultists.
“Where are the kidnapped people?”
“Eek!”
“Run!”
The cultists, their resolve shattered, turned and fled in terror.
“Pathetic scum…”
Sabikang was uncharacteristically angry. The thought of women and children being kidnapped and used as sacrifices brought back memories of his time in the demon realm. There, demons treated humans as nothing more than livestock, mere tools for their own gain. The cultists’ actions were eerily similar.
With a frigid gaze, Sabikang extended his hand toward the fleeing cultists.
“Fire Burst!”
In an instant,
Boom!
A dark sphere formed in front of the fleeing cultists, erupting in another powerful explosion.
“Aaagh!”
“Spare me…!”
Once again, many cultists were torn apart, their bodies scattered in pieces. Those who survived crawled away, missing limbs.
Sabikang ensured none were left alive, sweeping the area clean before leaping onto a nearby rooftop.
Chaos reigned below. The estate was in utter disarray. Despite the situation, the cult’s response was puzzling. They were fighting with all their might, but…
“No leadership.”
Indeed, there was no sign of the cult’s leaders. It made no sense for so many cultists to be here without any key figures present.
“Which means they’re hiding somewhere…”
Just then, a familiar presence approached, and the voice of Black Ghost reached him.
“We’ve searched everywhere, but there’s no place suitable for holding the kidnapped people.”
Two figures landed beside Sabikang—Churyang and Danrijung. Their mission was to infiltrate the estate and find Maegukju and the kidnapped individuals. With Danrijung’s keen eyesight and Churyang’s tracking skills, they were expected to succeed. Yet, they had found nothing.
“Master, I’m sorry. It’s difficult to locate Maegukju and the others right now.”
The chaos of the current situation made it impossible to conduct a thorough search. If they had time to observe carefully, they might find some clue. But with danger lurking at every corner, even the best tracking skills were rendered useless.
Danrijung added, “Instructor, I observed from a high vantage point, but nothing seemed suspicious. There were no cultists aside from those actively fighting.”
“Hmm.”
Sabikang pondered for a moment before asking, “Where do you think the most important building in this estate is?”
The three answered in unison, “The Celestial Shrine.”
The Celestial Shrine was slightly north of the estate’s center, not particularly conspicuous.
“Why?”
Churyang answered first, “It’s the layout. The paths in the estate all lead to the Celestial Shrine. It’s strategically placed for easy access.”
“Yet, there are few cultists near the shrine, as if they’re trying to divert attention away from it,” Danrijung added.
Finally, Black Ghost spoke, “When I infiltrated the shrine, there were about ten skilled fighters there, and I sensed a strong presence, not from them, but something else.”
“Someone else hiding there?”
“No, I would have noticed. It felt different, almost inhuman…”
Sabikang didn’t press further. Black Ghost’s instincts, honed by his experiences with dark forces, were not to be dismissed lightly.
“Alright. Let’s head to the Celestial Shrine. We might find some answers there.”
Just as Sabikang was about to move,
Rumble!
The ground shook violently, the tremors so intense that even the fighters paused in their battles.
“What was that? Could it be… underground?”
With that thought, Sabikang launched himself forward.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The others quickly followed.
Landing in the courtyard of the Celestial Shrine, Sabikang noticed the lack of cultists, just as Danrijung had said. The area was relatively quiet compared to the chaos elsewhere.
“Who are you?!”
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Three cultists fell, arrows piercing their throats, courtesy of Danrijung. Black Ghost spoke softly, “Be careful. The fighters in the shrine are formidable.”
No sooner had he spoken than the shrine’s doors burst open, and ten skilled fighters emerged.
“How dare you intrude here…!”
“Flare.”
In an instant, a searing flame erupted from Sabikang’s fingertips.
Fwoosh!
“Ugh!”
“Aaah!”
The fighters, who had charged in confidently, screamed as they hastily summoned their protective auras. But the heat of the Flare spell was too intense for their defenses.
As they faltered,
“Sonic Buster.”
Sabikang cast another spell, sending a sonic wave that tore through the fighters, shredding them to pieces.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In moments, they were reduced to unrecognizable fragments.
Even Black Ghost, Churyang, and Danrijung were taken aback by Sabikang’s overwhelming display of power.
Sabikang coldly muttered, “I came to find out where this place is.”
As he prepared to move again,
”……!”
Sabikang stopped, sensing a familiar yet unfamiliar presence approaching.
Moments later,
Crash!
A window of the Celestial Shrine shattered, and a woman was flung out. It was Maegukju. She barely had time to gather herself before launching back into action.
Thud!
She collided with an elderly man with a blue face who had followed her out.
Clang!
After a metallic clash, the blue-faced man struck with his fist.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Maegukju cried out as she was sent flying, crashing to the ground.
The blue-faced man darted toward her, sword raised.
“Die, you wretched woman!”
Swish!
Maegukju closed her eyes, bracing for the blow.
But then…
Clang!
Instead of the sickening sound of flesh being pierced, there was a clear metallic ring as the sword was deflected.
Both Maegukju and the blue-faced man turned in shock.
“When did he…!”
Standing there, holding his sword, was Sabikang.
With eyes as cold as ice, he murmured chillingly.
“What do you think you’re doing to my woman?”
“And who… who the hell are you?”
“I’m this woman’s lover.”
The man with the pale face glanced back and forth between Sabigang and Maesellan.
Sabigang stared at him intently and asked, “And who might you be, old man?”
“That’s none of your business!”
In an instant, the pale-faced man thrust his palms forward.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion of energy erupted, sending gusts of wind in all directions.
‘Whoever you are, you’ve just signed your own death warrant!’
But that thought didn’t last long.
When the waves of energy subsided, he looked up to see Sabigang standing there, completely unfazed.
Amazingly, Sabigang had raised a hand, effortlessly dissipating the man’s force.
“Is that the best you’ve got?”
“You, you, you…!”
“Wind Fist.”
In the next moment, the pale-faced man’s eyes widened in shock.
Simultaneously, a fierce wind gathered at Sabigang’s fingertips, forming a massive fist that surged forward.
Whoosh!
Crack!
The pale-faced man crossed his arms, sliding back several feet before he managed to stop.
Sabigang’s eyes glinted with interest.
“Hmm. A shield, too?”
The pale-faced man was equally astonished.
His lips trembled slightly as he spoke. “Could it be… you’re Sabigang? Why are you here… What are you, really?”
Sabigang casually cleaned his ear with a finger and replied, “I told you, I’m her lover.”